Boiler-feed-water regulator.



APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. I915.

Patented May15, 1917.

Witnesses Attorney's.

ITEM %TATE% PATENT @EFTQE WILLIE JUIDSON STEVENS, 0F PORTLAND, MAINE,ASSIGNOR TO STEVENS REGULATOR (30., OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

BOILER-FEED-WATER REGULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 191?.

Application filed November 22, 1915. Serial No. 62,845.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, 1min Jonson STEVENS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine,have invented a new and useful BoilenFeed-l Vater Regulator, of whichthe following is a specification. The present invention appertains toboiler feed water regulators, and aims to provide a novel and improvedappliance of that character, this invention being an improvement overthe boiler feed water regulator disclosed in my Patent No. 1,156,944,issued October 19, 1915.

It is the object of the invention to provide a novel contrivance foroperating the valve which controls the flow of water through the feedwater pipe into the boiler, whereby when the water level lowers, thecontrolling valve is opened thereby admitting the water into the boilerto bring the level of the water up to normal, the present device servingto maintain the water at a predetermined level within the boiler.

As a more specific object, the invention aims to provide a controllingvalve for the feed water pipe which is operated by steam pressure fromthe boiler, the steam normally tending to close said valve and thepassage oi steam to the valve being governed by float controlled deviceso that when the water level lowers, the lowering of the float willserve to shut off the flow of steam to the valve, thereby permitting thevalve to open and allowing the water to flow into the boiler forrestoring the normal water level.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a regulating deviceof the nature indicated, which comprises a novel assemblage of thecomponent parts, to increase the utility and efficiency of the device,the device being comparatively simple, compact and inexpensive inconstruction, and being readily installed.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein thefigure is a sectional view of the appliance, portions being broken awayand portions being shown in elevation.

The feed water controlling valve embodies a casing 1 interposed in thefeed water pipe 2 leading from a source of water to the boiler, thecasing 1 being provided with a partition 3 therein having an opening a,said partition providing a valve seat. The casing 1 has an upstanding orlaterally projecting sleeve 5 in which a cap-shaped valve 6 is slidableto seat against the partition 3 for closing the opening a.

The end of the sleeve 5 is closed by a plate 7 attached thereto in anysuitable manner, and said plate is provided with an upstanding yoke 8provided in alinement with the sleeve 5 with a cylinder 9 having its endclosed by a head or plate 10 provided with a central aperture or port11. A piston 12 is slidable snugly within the cylinder 9, and a push rod18 is slidable through the inner end of the cylinder 9 and through astufiing box 11 threaded through the plate 7 from below. The ends of therod 13 bear against the piston 12 and valve 6, so that when the pistonis forced downward, the valve 6 is seated, and when the valve 6 isunseated by the pressure of the water, the piston 1.2 is raised, the rod13 transmitting motion from one part to the other. The stuffing box 14:receives a packing gland 16, and has threaded thereon a nut 17 forretaining the gland 16 in place. The packing contained by the stuflingbox 14 provides means for preventing leakage past the rod 13.

Attached to the cylinder 9 adjacent its lower end is an elbow 18providing a drip outlet and providing a vent to permit air to flow intoand out of the cylinder as the piston 12 is reciprocated. The cylinder 9is also provided adjacent its lower end with a removable plug 19.

That portion of the casing 1 opposite the sleeve 5 is provided with atubular portion 20 in alinement with the opening 4: and

sleeve 5 and a spindle 21 is threaded through the tubular portion 20 andprojects through the opening 4, and within the valve 6. A packing glandor nut 22 is threaded upon the outer end of the portion 20 to preventleakage, and the lower or protruding end of the spindle 21 is providedwith a screw driver kerf 23, whereby the spindle can be convenientlyrotated through the medium of a screw driver or equivalent implement.When the spindle 21 is retracted, the valve 6 can seat against thepartition 3, and when the spindle is threaded upwardly it will provide astop which limits the movement of the valve 6 toward its seat, so as toprevent the valve being seated for completely closing the opening 4. Inthis manner, the valve is normally unseated sufficiently to allow thefeed water to flow into the boiler at a predetermined rate, tocompensate for the water which is lost by evaporation or in any othermanner. In adjusting the spindle 21, the feed water may be allowed toflow into the boiler at a predetermined rate to make up for the loss ofwater in the boiler without the necessity of the valve 6 being operatedby the float controlled apparatus which will be presently described,although if the flow of water is not suflicient to maintain the waterlevel in the boiler normal, the valve 6 is allowed to open farther bythe float controlled mechanism.

The float controlled mechanism embodies a float chamber or casing 24,comprising a cup or receptacle 25 and cap 26 secured thereon. The lowerend of the chamber 24 is provided with a water port 27 which isconnected by means of a pipe 28 to the boiler below the water level,said chamber 24 being so located near the water and steam gage that thenormal water level is between the upper and lower ends of said chamber.The cap 26 forming the upper end of the float chamber is provided with asteam port 29 connected by means of a pipe 30 with the boiler above thewater level, so that steam will flow through the pipe 30 into the upperportion of the chamber 24, while water will flow from the boiler throughthe pipe 23, into the lower portion of the float chamber. The water andsteam pressure within the float chamber are thus equalized, whereby thewater level within the float chamber will be the same as that in theboiler.

The cap 26 is provided with a central upstanding boss 31 and a dependingtubularextension 32, a bore 33 extending through the extension 32 and.boss 31. An apertured valve seat 34 is threaded within the upper end ofthe bore 33 to serve as a seat for the tip of the needle valve 35disposed loosely within the extension 32 and having its lower endattached to a hollow .metallic or other suitable float 36 disposedloosely within the float chamber. The extension 32 guides the needlevalve 35 for vertical movement which also guides the float for similarmovement.

A cylinder 37 has its lower end threaded upon the boss 31 and projectsupwardly from the float chamber, said cylinder having a lower chamber 38and an upper chamber 39, which chambers are separated by a partition 40in the cylinder between its ends and having a. restricted aperture oropening 41. A cap 42 is threaded upon the upper end of the cylinder toprovide a closuretherefor, and has a steam or pressure fluid inlet port43 which is connected by means of a tube or pipe 44 with the upperportion of the boiler so that dry steam is delivered by way of the tube44 and port 43 into the chamber 39.

An elbow is attached to one side of the cylinder 37 in communicationwith the chamber 39 between the ends of said chamber, and said elbow orcoupling 45 is connected by a tube or pipe 46 with the port or aperture11 of the cylinder 9. An elbow or nipple 47 is attached to one side ofthe cylinder 37 in communication with the chamber 38 above the piston 48which is slidable within said chamber 38, and the nipple 47 communicateswith the atmosphere.

The piston 48 has an upstanding stem 49 attached thereto which projectsloosely through the aperture 41 and which is provided within the chamber39 with a valve head 50 having conical ends, the upper one of which isseatable in the aperture or port 43-to close the same, and the other ofwhich is seatable within the aperture 41 to close the same. The head 50has an apertured disk 51 secured thereon which is slidable within thechamber 39 to guide the valve head for vertical movement.

In operation when the water level within the boiler and float chamber isat the predetermined height desired, the float 36 is raised within thefloat chamber to seat the needle valve 35 against the apertured seat 34,and by closing the aperture of said valve seat will prevent the steamfrom passing from the upper portion of the float chamber into the lowerend of the cylinder 37. The piston 43 will therefore gravitate to thelower end of the upright cylinder 37, and this will seat the valve head50 against the partition 40 to close the aperture 41, and at the sametime, the valve head 50 is removed from the port or aperture 43, whichallows the steam or pressure fluid to flow into the chamber 39. Theaperture 41 being closed prevents the steam from escaping into thechamber 38 and out through the nipple 47, but the steam can flow intoand through the tube 46 into the cylinder 9 above the piston 12. Saidpiston is therefore forced downwardly, which in turn forces the push rod13 downward, to push .said needle valve is unseated.

the valve 6 toward its seat. If the spindle 21 is retracted, the valve 6will be seated, to close the port a, and if the spindle 21 is projected,the valve 6 is moved against said spindle to allow a slight flow of thewater through the feed pipe at all times as above indicated. The steamor pressure fluid is thus normally supplied to the fluid operated valve,for holding said valve closed to shut off or retard the flow of feedwater into the boiler.

Now, when the water level lowers within the boiler, it also lowerswithin the float chamber, and the float 36 will therefore drop with thewater level pulling the needle valve 35 downwardly therewith, so thatThis allows the steam to flow from within the float chamber upwardlythrough the bore 33 and into the lower end of the cylinder 37, wherebythe piston 18 is forced upwardly. The valve head 50 is now lifted toseat within the aperture 6L3 for shutting off the flow of steam from thepipe or tube 44 into the chamber 39, and at the same time, the valvehead 50 is removed from the aperture 11, to bring the aperture 41 intocommunication with the tube or pipe 46. Due to the fact that the steamor fluid pressure is cut ofl from the cylinder 9, the pressure fluid nolonger exerts a pressure tending to seat the valve 6, so that the watercan unseat the valve 6 to flow into the boiler, the rod 13 and piston 12being moved backwardly by the valve 6 when it is unseated. The tube orpipe 46 being connected to the atmosphere by way of the chamber 39, port41, chamber 38 and nipple 47 allows the steam or pressure fluid to beforced from the cylinder 9 to the atmosphere when the piston 12 israised. This allows the valve 6 to unseat without interference, so thatthe feed water can flow into the boiler to bring the water up to itsnormal level, and as soon as the normal water level is restored, theflow of feed water is shut ofl due to the elevation of the float 36which seats the needle valve 35.

The apparatus is operable for controlling the admission of feed waterinto the boiler, so that the water will be maintained at a normal level,and the device is entirely automatic in operation. The parts of thedevice can be readily manufactured, assembled and separated, and theappliance can be installed with little trouble upon various boilers.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, means for normally supplying pressure fluid theretofor holding the valve closed, pressure fluid operated means cooperablewith said'means, means independent of the first mentioned means forsupplying pressure fluid to the second mentioned means, and floatcontrolled means cooperable with the third mentioned means wherebv whenthe float is raised, the pressure fluid is shut off from the secondmentioned means, and when the float is lowered, the pressure fluidoperates the second men tioned means to shut off the flow of pres surefluid in the first mentioned means to the valve.

2. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, piping connected thereto for supply ing pressure fluidthereto, a valve controlling the flow of pressure fluid through saidpiping, pressure fluid operated means for operating the second mentionedvalve, independent means for supplying pressure fluid to said means, avalve controlling the second mentioned means, and a float connected tothe third mentioned valve for operating it.

3. A. boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, piping connected thereto, a normally open valve forsaid piping for permitting pressure fluid to pass therethrough to thefirst mentioned valve, pressure fluid operated means for seating thesecond mentioned valve, independent means for supplying pressure fluidto the said means, a valve for the second mentioned means to normallyshut ofl the flow of pressure fluid to the first mentioned means, and afloat operatively connected to'the third mentioned valve for unseatingit when the float lowers.

4;. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, piping connected thereto for supplying pressure fluidthereto, a valve for controlling the passage of pressure fluid throughthe said piping, a float chamber having upper and lower ports forconnection with a boiler above and below the water level, a cylinderconnected to the upper portion of the float chamber to receive pressurefluid therefrom, a piston within the cylinder for operating the secondmentioned valve, a float within said chamber, and a valve operated bythe float for controlling the flow of pressure fluid from the chamberinto the cylinder.

5. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, piping connected thereto for supplying pressure fluidto the valve, a normally open valve for said piping, a float chamberhaving upper and lower ports for connection with a boiler above andbelow the water level, a cylinder connected to the upper portion of saidchamber to receive pressure fluid therefrom, a piston within thecylinder for seating the second mentioned valve when pressure fluid isadmitted to the cylinder, a

float within said chamber, and a valve operated by said float andnormally shutting off the flow of pressure fluid from the chamber to thecylinder, the last mentioned valve being unseated when the float lowers.

6. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, piping connected thereto for supplying pressure fluidto said valve, a valve controlling the supply of pressure fluid throughthe said piping, a float chamber having upper and lower ports forconnection with a boiler above and below the wa ter level, thechamberhaving an upper tubular member provided with an apertured valveseat, a float within said chamber, a needle valve attached to the floatand disposed loosely within said tubular member to normally bear againstsaid seat, a cylinder having one end connected to said tubular member toreceive pressure fluid therefrom, and a piston within the cylinder andarranged to operate the second mentioned valve.

7. A boiler feed water regulator embodying a pressure fluid operatedfeed Water valve, a pressure fluid chamber in communication with saidvalve and having a pres sure fluid inlet and an aperture communicatingwith the atmosphere, a valve within said chamber for alternately closingsaid inlet and aperture, pressure fluid operated means for operatingsaid second mentioned valve, means for admitting pressure fluid to saidmeans, and float controlled means controlling the flow of pressure fluidthrough the second mentioned means.

8. A boiler feed water regulator embodying a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, a chamber in communication therewith and having apressure fluid inlet and an opposite aperture communicating with theatmosphere, a valve in said chamber seatable to alternately close saidinlet and Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner aperture, pressure fluid operated means foroperating the second mentioned valve, a float chamber having upper andlower ports for communication with a boiler above and below the normalwater level, the float chamber having a passage communicating with saidmeans, a float within said chamber, and a valve controlled by the floatfor controlling the passage of pressure fluid through said passage tosaid means.

9. A boiler feed water regulator embodying a pressure fluid operatedfeed water valve, a float chamber having upper and lower ports forconnection with a boiler above and below the normal Water level, anupstanding member attached to the upper end of said chamber and havingan upper pressure fluid chamber, a lower chamber and a partition betweensaid chambers having an aperture, said lower chamber having an aperturecommunicating with the atmosphere, a pipe connecting the upper chamberand said valve, the upper chamber having a pressure fluid inlet oppositesaid aperture of said partition, a piston slidable in the lower chamberand having an upwardly projecting stem provided with a valve within theupper chamber operable to close the pressure fluid inlet and aperture ofsaid partition, the float chamber having a passage communicating withsaid lower chamber, said passage having a valve seat, a float within thefloat chamber, and an upstanding needle valve carried by said float andprojecting into said passage to cooperate with said seat.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIE J UDSON STEVENS.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. ADAMs, ROGER CARTER.

of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

